West Carroll Chamber of Commerce

OAK GROVE, La. — Friday November 18 at 4 p.m. a century old era officially came to an end and a new era began as the Fiske Theatre in Oak Grove, La. became the first Independent Theatre in North Louisiana to become 100% digital.

The West Carroll Chamber of Commerce, owners of the Fiske Theatre and Holland Entertainment LLC, operators, announce the transition of the Fiske Theatre to Digital Cinema Presentation in time for the beginning of its Christmas Season.The first film to be shown in this new format was “Twlight: Breaking Dawn.”

“We are proud of the commitment the Holland family has made to the theatre,” W.C. Chamber President Brenda Hagan said. “The sizable investment they are making to make this transition shows their dedication to providing quality family entertainment in our historic theatre for years to come.”

The motion picture industry in the United States have been transitioning away from 35 mm film over the past few years and this transition has picked up pace within the last few months, experts say that by January 2013, 35 mm prints will no longer be available for exhibition in the USA.

“In one since this transition is like losing and old friend,” Adam Holland, President, Holland Entertainment said. “35 mm has been the bread and butter of our industry since the days of Thomas Edison, but the quality and versatility that this 21^st Century technology will allow us to provide our patrons brings with it much excitement and possibilities, this will be the biggest advancement in the West Carroll Parish cinema going experience since movies learned to talk with the “Jazz Singer” in 1928.”

Digital projection will provide movie goers top quality presentation each time a movie plays, and will also allow the theatre the capabilities of providing alternative content such as Broadway Plays, Metropolitan Opera, Rock Concerts, Classic Movies and live sporting events.

Throughout the history of the Fiske Theatre, it has always been on the cutting edge of technology.  In 1951 the year after the new theatre opened Mr. Fiske was awarded Exhibitor and Theatre Catalog’s Merit Award as being the most modern and well-appointed theatre in the nation.

“Since we returned the theatre to operations as a motion picture house it has always been our goal to bring the theatre back to her glory as one of the most advanced theatres in the region,” Holland said. “Being the first independent to make this move shows that we are once again one of the leaders in our industry.”

The Fiske Theatre is owned by the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce and operated by Holland Entertainment LLC of Oak Grove, La.

OAK GROVE — A busy Holiday Season is set to begin this weekend at the Historic Fiske Theatre in Oak Grove, La.

It all starts this Saturday at 7 p.m. with the West Carroll Singing Christmas Tree which will perform the cantata “O Holy Night.” The tree performances will repeat Sunday at 3 p.m. and Monday at 7 p.m.

Movies return November 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. with “Courageous” from creators of “Fireproof.”

At 12:01 a.m. November 18, the Fiske will open the first part of the final installment of the “Twlight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One.” Advanced tickets for the midnight screening are on sale now at Small Town Designs next to the theatre. “Breaking Dawn” will play nightly through November 27.

December 1, at 7 p.m. the University of Louisiana at Monroe in association with the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce will present “Christmas Between the Rivers” featuring the ULM Choir and Twin City Ballet Dancers. Advanced tickets for this one night engagement are available now for $10.00 at Small Town Designs in Oak Grove, Prairie View Academy in Bastrop and the VAPA Box Office on the ULM Campus. Tickets will be available at the Fiske Theatre box office the night of the show for $15.00.

Dreamworks Animation’s hit new picture “Puss in Boots” takes to the screen of the Fiske December 2-4, Adam Sandlers new comedy “Jack and Jill” will play December 9-11, “Happy Feet 2” takes to the screen December 16-18 and “Arthur Christmas” will play Christmas Weekend.

Regular weekend show times are Thursday-Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30. Tickets are just $6.50 for General Admission and children under six are admitted for $3.75.

The Fiske Theatre is owned by the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce and operated by Holland Entertainment LLC.

OAK GROVE — The Second Annual West Carroll Chamber of Commerce “Cruisin’ the Square” is slated to take place October 8 on the grounds of the West Carroll Parish Court House in Oak Grove, La.

“Last years event was a huge success,” Chamber Director Adam Holland said. “Everyone young and old alike came out and reminisced about the old times they spent with friends and made new memories as well. It is our goal to make this year’s event bigger and better than the last.”

The event will feature a classic car show on the lawn of the Courthouse during the day, culminating with a parade of classic cars around the square at 2 p.m. At 3 p.m. there will be a screening of the hit movie GREASE which is set in the 1950’s. From 6 p.m. until the Josh Madden Band will perform at the Little Freezer lot along with cruising the square in downtown Oak Grove.

This year we will also feature Arts and Crafts vendors to be open during the day from 9 am until 4 p.m. Booth spaces are available by reservation for just $25 for a 12×12 or $45 for a 12×24. Call Janice Holland at 318-428-9280 to reserve your space.

This years event is sponsored by The Little Freezer, The Drug Store, Small Town Designs, Merle Norman Cosmetics, The Fiske Theatre and KWCL.

OAK GROVE — The West Carroll Chamber of Commerce will host a political forum Tuesday, September 20 at 6:30 for the 2011 parish and regional elections which are set to take place in October.

All candidates in the District Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk of Court and Tax Assessor’s races have been invited.

The forum will be moderated by Chamber Director Adam Holland with President Brenda Hagan and Board Member Brenda Hagan serving as time keepers.

Each candidate will be given a five-minute opening comment and asked a series of two prepared questions with his/her opponents given a one minute rebuttal.

The West Carroll Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse any candidates.

The event is open to the public and no admission will be charged.

The West Carroll Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a ribbon cutting Friday, July 29 at 10 a.m. to celebrate the grand opening of T&L Auto located at East Jefferson Street right next to Mike’s Automotive Repair in Oak Grove.

“We are very excited about this new business,” Ribbon Cutting Chair Genea Dickinson said. “Everyone in the community is encouraged to come out and support this new business in our town.”

OAK GROVE, La.- — The West Carroll Chamber of Commerce in association with the West Carroll Gazette, KWCL and Holland Entertainment LLC will host a Financial Freedom and Wealth Building Seminar featuring Dave Ramsey Certified Financial Counselor Kelly Brantley, Tuesday, July 12^th at 6:30 p.m. at the Fiske Theatre
in Oak Grove, La.

In order to attend you must register by Friday, July 8 by calling the West Carroll
Chamber at 318-428-8289.  Registration is just $30 per couple and includes a Dave Ramsey Financial Freedom Workbook. Checks should be made payable to the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce.

The seminar features Kelly Brantley, a Dave Ramsey Certified Financial Counselor. Kelly
graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Business Management and was selected by Dave and his team last year as one of the top 3 certified counselors of 1500 across the United States.

She is a member of Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and has owned Financial Freedom Counseling Service for 3 years.  It is her mission to provide applicable financial information that will enable you to grow spiritually, relationally and financially for every
stage of your life.  Also, to encourage and teach you to become debt free, build wealth with confidence, and how to live each day in Financial Freedom.

Kelly currently travels Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas conducting Financial Freedom Wealth Building seminars for churches, employers and various other organizations.  The purpose of the seminar is to teach people how to start from where they are and build even more wealth. Regardless of age or income, whether you have credit card debt or don’t have credit card debt you will benefit from this seminar.  This information is not taught in high school or college, but it needs to be.  As Ben Franklin said “an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”  You will go home with the wealth building tools you need for your family.

To find out more about Kelly Brantley visit her website at www.debtfreewithkelly.com.

–westcarrollchamber.com–

Tony Gilley, President of Gilley Enterprises of West Monroe, La. recently donated $5,000 to the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce Fiske Theatre Account to be used for renovations to the theatre’s marquee lighting.

“We extend the utmost appreciation to Mr. Gilley and his staff.” Chamber Director Adam Holland said. “We have come along way with our renovation of the theatre and this donation allowed us to check off one more of our needs list to get the theatre back to pristine condition.”

The theatre wasted no time in putting the money to work, theatre staff along with David Stauffer of S&S Electrical and inmates from the West Carroll Sheriff’s office replaced the 81 light fixtures in just three days having the marquee back in operation by the weekend’s showing of Madea’s Big Happy Family.

“This donation from Mr. Gilley shows how his organization is dedicated to the communities they are apart of, we look forward to working with him even more when the restaurant opens this fall,” Holland said.